Adjustable bed



Nov. 18, 1969 A. BENorr ET AL 3,478,372

ADJUSTABLE BED 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 1, 196'? 00 INVENTORS Wow/yo A BE/YO/r y (/OSEPI/ 7% 00/ AI'm/PNEXS Nov. 18, 1969 R. A. BENOIT ET AL 3,478,372

ADJUSTABLE BED 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 1, 1967 m MW m r ML n 5.

United States Patent ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A hospital 'bed adjustable to provide Trendelenburg or Fowler selection includes a frame which maybe inclined toward the head or toward the foot of the bed and a selection device which in cooperation witha suitable motor allows the bed operator to adjust bed position from a point at one end of the bed.

The present invention relates to beds and inparticular to an adjustable bed in which the mattress support member may be adjusted from a normal horizontal position to the Trendlenburg position in which the body is" in a straight line-inclined between 10 and degrees from the horizontal with the head lower most and with the feet and knees in elevated position with respect to the head. The bed according to the present invention is also adjustable to the Fowler position in which the body lies in" a straight line at an incline with respect to the horizontal with the head in elevated position with respect to thefeet.

One of'the objects according to the present invention is to provide a new and improved adjustable bed which is of simple construction and which is reliable'in operation.

'Anot'her'object of the present invention is to provide a new" and' improved adjustable bed which may be moved from "thehorizontalposition to either Trendelenburg or Fowler selections.

A'further object of the present invention is to provide an "adjustable bed which includes a new and improved motor and connecting linkages for adjusting the bed between a horizontal position and either a Trendelenburg or Fowler selection.

A= furtherobject of the present invention is to provide an adjustable bed with a new and improved position selectorhy'the bed which the operator may move to various positions of adjustment; ''-An'a'djus'table bed constructed in accordance with the present invention includes supporting frames and "a mattress supportmember. The bed further includes means for moving-"the mattress support member in vertical adjustment. Preferably, the mattress support member is adjusted by means of a drive motor which cooperates with a'pair'of adjusting mechanisms, one located at each end 7 J of the bed. By means of the drive motor and the adjusting mechanisms the mattress support member may be moved vertically with re'spe'ct'to the support frame of the bed. The drive motor selectively actuates one or both adjusting mechanisms by means of a position selector whichis interposed between the motor and the adjusting mechanisms. In this manner, the head or the foot end of the bed may be moved vertically according to whether Trendelenburg or Fowler selection is desired. Preferably, both-the position selector and the drive motor are operated from the foot end of the bed from convenience in 'adjusting the bed.

For a better understanding of the present invention, together with other and further objects thereof, reference 'is had'to the following description, taken in connection "ice with the accompanying drawings, and its scope will be pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view partially cut away of an adjustable bed according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary side-elevation view of the preferred position selector which is interconnected between the drive motor and the adjusting mechanism whereby the bed may be selectively adjusted according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a side-elevation of the position selector illustrated in FIG. 2 after being moved to the inoperative position;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the position selector of FIGS. 2 and 3 which is shown in an intermediate position of operation; and,

FIG. 5 is a side-elevation partially broken away to illustrate the bed of the present invention in an adjusted position.

Referring to the drawings and more particularly to FIG. 1, the bed 1 according to the present invention includes a mattress support member 2 mounted on upright head and foot frames 3 and 4. In order to achieve the bed adjustments (Trendelenburg of Fowler), the mattress support member is pivotally mounted with respect to the head and foot frame members.

The mattress support member is of suitable construction and preferably may be of angle iron construction so to support the usual mattress and spring combination (not shown). As shown in FIG. 1, the mattress support member 2 is partially broken away to illustrate other portions of the bed. It is to be understood that the mattress support member is generally rectangular and it extends around the upper periphery of the bed. Two pairs of support plates 6 located near the head and foot'of the mattress support member 2 provide means for pivotally mounting the mattress support member with respect to the head and foot frames 3 and 4.

The head and foot frames are of similar construction and each frame includes a pair of vertically adjustable upright posts 8 with each post having a bottom post member 9 which receives, in telescoping fashion, a top post member 10. By means of these posts the mattress support member 2 may be adjusted'to various positions. The posts are held in adjusted position by means of a lift arm 12 in a manner more fully described below. The upright posts 8 are interconnected near their bottom ends by a suitable cross-bar 13 and at their upper ends by a pivot shaft 14. Each pivot shaft 14 extends between and is journaled into the upper ends of each pair of posts by suitable bearings 16 so that the pivot shaft may rotate on its longitudinal axis. In addition, each pivot shaft receives the support plates 6 for pivotal connection of the mattress support member 2 with respect to the head and foot frames 3 and 4.

From the foregoing description it is ,to be understood that. the mattress support member '2 is adjustable between various vertical positions including Trendele'nburg and Fowler selections. Accordingly, each of the head and footframes 3 and 4 is individually adjustable between upper and lower vertical positions-and the mattress support member is pivotally mounted with respect to the head and foot frames.

As best shown is FIG. 1, the head and foot frames 3 and 4 move between vertically adjusted positions by means of lift arms 12 rigidly secured to a pivot shaft 14. A lifting force applied to a lift arm produces a lifting of the upper portion 10 of the frame posts 8 with respect to the lower posts 9.

A pair of knee action linkages 17 follow and stabilize the lifting movement of the head and footframes 3 and 4. The knee action linkages prevent tilting of the mattress support member during lifting. Each knee action linkage 17 includes a lower arm 18 and an upper arm 19. Each upper arm 19 is rigidly connected at one end to a pivot shaft 14 and pivotally connected at its other end 20 to a lower arm 18. Each lower arm is pivotally connected at 21 to its corresponding post 9.

From the foregoing will be observed that by selectively moving the head or foot lift arms 12, the mattress support member may be brought to Trendelenburg or Fowler selection.

According to the present invention, a motor 25 and a position selector mechanism 26 are provided for achieving the foregoing selections. As best shown in FIG. 1, the motor 25 typically includes a hand crank 27 and an operating screw 28 located at the foot end of the bed. The operating screw 28 is journaled into the mattress support member 2 by means of a suitable swivel bearing 29. It will be observed that the operating screw 28 serves to move the head and foot lift arms 12 by means of a block member 30 and a longitudinal drive 31 bar. The operating screw threads into the block member 30 which in turn is pivotally secured to the drive bar 31 by a suitable pin 34 and bracket 33. The longitudinal drive bar 31is mounted at the lower end of the head and foot lift arms 12 by means of a suitable bolt 34 which fits into a slot 35 at the corresponding head and foot ends 36 and 37 of the longitudinal drive bar.

From the foregoing it will be understood that as the operating screw moves the longitudinal bar toward the foot of the bed and slightly upward in the direction of the screw, both the lift arms 12 are raised so to lift the head and foot frame members 3 and 4.

A position selector gate 40 is interposed between the longitudinal drive bar 31 and each lift arm 12. When the position selector gates 40 are in the position shown in FIG. 1 and in FIG. 2, movement of the longitudinal bar toward the foot of the bed is transmitted to the head and foot lift arms 12 thereby to achieve the desired raising of the head and foot vertical frame members 8 and the mattress support member 2.

As shown in FIGURES 2 and 3, each position selector gate 40 includes a gate member 41 which is pivotally connected by a pin 42 to the drive bar 31. A cable 43 with a suitable connector 44 and sheath 45 is used to pivot each gate member 41 from the engaged position (FIG. 2) to the disengaged position (FIG. 3). Conveniently, each cable 43 is available to the operator at a panel 46 and control knobs 47 (FIG. 1) installed at the foot of the bed. The front edge (FIG. 3) of each gate member 41 has a notch 47 for firm engagement with the lift arm bolt 34. The bottom edge of each gate member may be recessed at 48 to accommodate the movement of the bolt 34 within the slot 35 (see FIG. 5). A pin 49 and groove 50 (FIG. 3) limit the upward movement of the gate member 41. If desired a spring (not shown) may be used to urge each gate member into the downward position.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 either position selector gate 40 may be moved to an upward position so that lift arm bolt 34 is free to slide respect to the slot 35. When such relative sliding movement occurs then the longitudinal drive bar 31 does not raise the corresponding lift arm 12. Consequently, movement of the operating screw 28 is effective to raise only one end of the bed as shown in FIG. 5. Moreover, when one position selector gate is not engaged (as shown in FIG. 5) the corresponding end of the bed remains in the lowered position. The operation of the bed according to the present invention will be apparent in the foregoing description but for convenience will be summarized below.

As shown in FIG. 1 the mattress support member 2 is elevated and is in a level position. In order to select a bed position as in FIG. 5 in which the head end of the bed is raised and in which the foot end of the bed is lowered, one would proceed as follows.

The operating screw 28 is manipulated to move the longitudinal drive bar 31 to the rearward most position toward the head end. This action moves the lift arms 12 downwardly and the mattress support member is lowered, i.e., the upper post 10 telescopes entirely into the lower post 9 as shown at the foot end of FIG. 5. In addition, the lift arm bolts 34 disengage from each position selector gate 40 so that one of the gate member may be easily pivoted to an upper position (FIG. 3). In the bed selection to be described the foot gate member 41 is so pivoted to an upper position as illustrated in FIG. 3. Next the hand crank 27 and operating screw 28 (FIG. 5) are turned so to move the longitudinal drive bar 31 toward the foot end of the bed.

As the longitudinal drive bar 31 moves toward the foot of the bed the foot lift arm bolt 34 slides in the foot end slot 35. In other words the foot end lift arm 12 is not raised by the longitudinal drive bar 31, and consequently the foot of the bed remains lowered. As best shown in FIG. 5 it will seem that the lift arm bolt 34 is located in the rearward position with respect to the elongated slot 35. At the same time it will be observed that the foot gate member 41 is pivoted to the inactive or disengaged position.

At the head end of the bed on the other hand, it will be seen in FIG. 5 that the gate member 41 is engaged against the lift arm bolt 34. As a result of such engagement the movement of the longitudinal drive bar 31 has produced a lifting movement in the head lift arm 12. Such lifting movement of the lift arm occurs because the drive bar moves in the general direction of the operating screw 28, i.e., in a forwardly and in an upwardly direction. The pivot bar 31 and the upper head frame posts 10 are lifted vertically as shown in FIG. 5. To lower the head end of the bed, it is necessary only to reverse the rotation of the hand crank and the drive bar 31 will lower lift arm 12 until post 10 telescopes entirely within post 8. After such lowering a new selection for bed position may be made.

While there has been described what is at present considered to be the preferred embodiment of this invention it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention and it is therefore aimed to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An adjustable bed comprising a mattress support member, means for adjustably supporting the head and foot ends of the mattress support member, a pair of mechanisms for moving each of the head and foot support means between vertically spaced positions, each of said mechanisms including a pivot shaft rotatably mounted at the upper end of the corresponding supporting means, means connected to each pivot shaft for lifting the head and foot adjustable supporting means, means for moving the head and foot lifting means, and a position selector cooperating with the lifting means whereby the head or foot portions of the mattress support member may be selectively elevated wherein the means connected to each pivot shaft comprises a pair of arms for lifting and lowering the head and foot frames, and wherein a drive bar is provided for moving each lift arm in lifting and lowering directions, said drive bar including a pair of slots for receiving said lift arms, and wherein the position selector includes a pair of gate members connected to the drive bar to limit movement of the lift arm.

2. The adjustable bed defined in claim 1 wherein the mattress support member is pivotally connected to the head and foot adjustable supporting means.

3. An adjustable bed as defined in claim '1 wherein the head and foot supporting means each comprise a lower portion comprising first and second upright posts interconnected by means of a cross bar, and upper portions which telescope into each of the lower posts portions.

4. An adjustable bed as defined in claim 3 which further includes a pair of knee action linkages interconnecting the upper and lower portions of both the head and foot supporting members.

5. An adjustable bed comprising a mattress support member; means for adjustably supporting the head and foot ends of the mattress support member; a pair of mechanisms for moving each of the head and foot support means between vertically spaced positions, each of said mechanisms including a pivot shaft rotatably mounted at the upper end of the corresponding supporting means, and a lift arm connected to each pivot shaft for lifting both the head and foot adjustable supporting means, drive means for moving the head and foot lift arm members, a pair of position selectors for operatively connecting the drive means to the head and foot lift arms whereby the head or foot portions of the mattress support member may be selectively elevated, and a motor for moving the drive means wherein the drive means includes a drive bar having a pair of slots for receiving said lift arms, and wherein each of said position selectors comprises a gate member pivotally connected to the drive bar in overlapping relation to a slot to limit movement of a lift arm with respect to the slot whereby the drive bar may actuate a lift arm.

6. The adjustable bed defined in claim 5 wherein the drive means comprises a longitudinal bar pivotally connected to each of the head and foot lift arms, and further wherein each position selector comprises a gate member pivotally connected to one end of the longitudinal bar whereby movement of the bar may selectively raise the lift arms.

7. The adjustable bed as defined in claim 6 which further includes a pair of cables for pivoting the gate members from engaged to disengaged positions.

8. An adjustable bed comprising a mattress support member, means for adjustably supporting the head and foot ends of the mattress support member, a pair of mechanisms for moving each of the head and foot support means between vertically spaced positions, each of said mechanisms including a pivot shaft and a lift arm, each pivot shaft rotatably mounted at the upper end of the corresponding supporting means, each lift arm rigidly connected to the pivot shaft for lifting the head and foot adjustable supporting means, a drive bar having a pair of elongated slots for pivotal connection to each lift arm, a pair of position selectors for limiting the movement of each lift arm with respect to its drive bar slot, means for selectively moving the position selectors into or out of engagement with the lift arms whereby the drive bar may selectively raise the lift arms, and means for moving the drive bar wherein each position selector comprises a gate member pivotally connected to the drive bar in overlapping relation to a drive bar slot, and further where- 10 in the gate member is notched to securely engage a lift arm pivot bolt.

9. In an adjustable bed having a mattress support member and head and foot frames for adjustably supporting the mattress support member the improvement which comprises a pair of lift arms for lifting and lowering the head and foot frames, a drive bar for moving each lift arm in lifting and lowering directions, a pair of position selectors mounted on the drive bar whereby the drive lbar may selectively actuate the lift arms, and means for moving the drive bar wherein the drive bar includes a pair of'elongated slots for receiving the lift arms, and wherein each position selectors comprises a gate member pivotally connected to the drive bar in overlapping relation to a slot to limit movement of a lift arm with respect to the slot whereby the drive bar may actuate a lift arm.

10. The improvement defined in claim 9 wherein each lift arm is fitted by a bolt to a drive bar slot and further wherein each gate member is notched to receive and securely engage a bolt.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,149,348 9/1964 Hillenbrand et al 563 3,201,806 8/1965 Hutt 562 3,206,771 9/1965 Nordmark et a1. 563 3,220,020 11/1965 Nelson 563 3,231,904 2/1966 Shulkin 562 3,336,606 8/ 1967 Beitzel 563 X CASMIR A. NUNBERG, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

